Perfect weather helped to draw a good crowd to Irving Bicycle Fest on Saturday at Lively Pointe Youth Center. Bicycling fans of all ages watched BMX stunt shows, learned about bicycle safety, visited with vendors and even made smoothies using pedal power.

Organized by Bike Lane Task Force, the event included a group ride, where bicyclists were escorted by Irving Police and a Kids’ Bike Safety Rodeo.

Children were also able to receive free bicycle helmets, thanks to a grant from Texas Medical Association Foundation’s Hard Hats for Little Heads program. The TMA-member physician who sponsored the event was William Shea, M.D, who is also chairman of BikeTexas. Top donors for the grant include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Prudential, two anonymous foundations, and gifts from physicians and their families.

Spotted at the event were retired physician Thomas Murphy, city council member Gerald Farris, and Fran Witte, Irving’s senior community outreach coordinator.

“Cycling is one of those rare things that’s good on so many levels,” said Bike Lane Task Force chair Francesca Funk.

She also mentioned the Irving school district is promoting cycling with a Safe Routes program. Brandenburg Elementary recently hosted a bike rodeo, and Lamar Middle School hosted a walk and bike to school event.

ICT MainStage

A romantic comedy by Alfred Uhry, the author of Driving Miss Daisy, is the next production of ICT MainStage. The Last Night of Ballyhoo opens Friday and runs through June 1 at Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. Cast members include Greg Phillips, Brandi Andrade, Shannon Rasmussen, Dena Dunn, Rachel Robertson, Edward Treminio and Travis Ponikiewski. Bruce Coleman will direct.

Set in 1939, the play tells the story of the Freitag family as it prepares for Ballyhoo, a debutante ball for the Jewish community. Forces conspire to pull the family apart and relationships are tested. The question is: Will they do some soul searching to come back together?

Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and May 30, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $16 to $21 with $5 student rush tickets. Call 972-252-2787.

Schmidt and Jones Awards

Lyric Stage is gearing up to present its annual Schmidt and Jones Awards. The awards ceremony will be Thursday at Irving Arts Center.

Twelve area schools have been nominated for their theater work. They are Nimitz High for Little Shop of Horrors; North Hills Preparatory for Guys and Dolls; MacArthur High for Guys and Dolls; Irving High for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; Coppell High for The Drowsy Chaperone; Carroll Senior High for Legally Blonde the Musical; North Crowley High for Into the Woods; Boswell High for Hairspray; Lovejoy High for Little Shop of Horrors; Turner High for Seussical; Mansfield Summit High for The Secret Garden; and Woodrow Wilson High for Anything Goes.

The top actor and actress will participate in the National High School Musical Award program in New York City. Last year’s Schmidt and Jones winners received awards at the program, which was televised by PBS. For more information. visit lyricstage.org.

Community columnist Deborah Fleck covers Irving and other communities for The Dallas Morning News.